Thread: Pack rafting

Hey all,
Ive seen pack rafts being used for hunting and fishing online and was keen to see if anyone does pack rafting especially in Hawkes Bay. Im keen to try it out I just want to see if there is a community or many people doing it before I go and drop 1500 bucks on one


cheers

Talk to Sarin at Hamills Taupo.
You will be able to find him close to the ANZ bank. (not sure if he's open yet but will be soon apparently)

YT is full of intrepid Kiwi hunters and fishermen using them to access all sorts of excellent pieces of back country water. But most appear to have gained good skills kayaks first. That, and be fit AF to carry all that extra gear in over the Kaimanawas or through Poronui etc. Possibly reach out in their comments section and see if you can get a discussion going?

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Talk to Sarin at Hamills Taupo.
You will be able to find him close to the ANZ bank. (not sure if he's open yet but will be soon apparently)

I was wondering if that shop getting fitted out was Hamils. That’s good news

I've seen a group of teenagers and a guide kayak down the mohaka river. Looked like great fun.... in the summer time!

No idea where they came from though. Was almost 6-7 years ago or so. I probably asked but i've forgotten

I've got 3 packrafts. Complete sets of everything

I was an early adopter and thought they would take off here
But Kiwi's are to cheap to spend the value of a rifle on a non rifle I guess

So I brought the three so I could take my foreign mates on trips
Don't use them as often as I would like.
But always have one in my truck on high country trips because you never know when you will want one

Great on fly ins to keep your feet wet from camp crossing big deep rivers and opens up lots of country

would a canoe be of any use? I suppose if you lived near a lake or large river you'd use it often

Originally Posted by XR500

most appear to have gained good skills kayaks first.

I think this is important to note. Although packrafts are pretty stable there is still alot of scope to get into trouble paddling whitewater.

Looks like you're on the right track looking for people to go with, but don't fall into the heuristic trap of thinking that just because they have done it before that they know what they're doing. At minimum you should do some swift water rescue training, get to know your gear and start easy (grade 2 or less), and whatever you do wear a helmet!